How to Dye Away the Grays

If you're not ready to accept graying hair, consider coloring it to hang on to your natural shade.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Old Children's T-shirts
• Timers
• Fitted Rubber Gloves
• Old Towels
• Hair-coloring Products
• Shampoos For Color-treated Hair

1. Consult your hairstylist and discuss your plans to color your hair. Get suggestions for at-home products, natural vs. chemical treatments, and after-treatment hair care.

2. Consider how much of your hair is gray.

3. Use a semipermanent dye if your hair is close to 20 percent gray. Color will begin to fade after about 6 to12 washings, so hair will require frequent recoloring if you shampoo daily.

4. Opt for longer-lasting semipermanent colors if you're up to 50 percent gray; they'll last for approximately 24 to 28 washes.

5. Use a permanent dye if most of your locks have made the change. To test the color, cut off strands of hair from the back of your neck to get a lock about 1 /4 inch wide and an inch long, and bind one end with tape. Mix together a small amount of the hair-color solution according to the instructions and place the hair in it. Check the hair after the least amount of time recommended. Keep checking until it has reached the desired color, and then note how long this took.

6. Look for colors that closely match the natural shade of your hair. Consider a shade darker than your natural color if you're mostly gray, as the color may appear a shade lighter than indicated, and may fade in the sun. Touch up roots as needed, and dye again by the third month.

7. Begin your transition on a Saturday morning, if possible, so you have time to adjust to your new look before heading back to work, and so that co-workers won't notice an abrupt change as readily. Give yourself plenty of time to complete the process, as it may seem awkward at first.

8. Spread an old towel over the bathroom counter and put on an old T-shirt. Wearing fitted rubber gloves, begin your color process. Follow the directions exactly as indicated in the coloring kit.

9. Set the timer and enjoy a book or magazine while you wait. Rinse as indicated in the product instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Going to a salon is easier, but it costs a lot more than doing it yourself.
• Some color-enhancing products may irritate the scalp, so test new hair products by applying them to a small patch of skin on the back of your neck.
• If you're pregnant, get your doctor's OK before proceeding with any hair-color treatment.
• If you have applied henna to your hair, remember that you cannot perm it or use a chemical color over it.
• Avoid chlorine and salt water for a few days after coloring your hair, since it may alter the color.
• Avoid getting solution into your eyes at all costs. Rinse well with tepid water and consult a physician should this occur.

[aikanae]

on 1/8/2009 To the person suggesting just let it go grey: Not everyone's hair is a pretty grey during the transition and sometimes the skin color doesn't change as fast as the hair does. She would probably be shocked at all the people covering up grey hair if they stopped (including men).

[SilverySan]

on 12/4/2008 Better yet....don't dye your hair at all. It will always look phony especially if you dye it a dark color. Get a really stylish hair cut instead and use the money you waste on hair coloring for something worthwhile. According to tests done recently, men prefer women with gray hair to those with dark brown over the age of 45.

[ehower2008]

on 3/8/2008 Bigen is good for coloring grays.

[Kess]

on 11/5/2007 That is so true about stress! When I'm happy I'm less gray.
Semi-perm hair color is great because you don't get that hard line when the color starts fading.
Another thing I like to do sometime is use a color conditioner or rince between colourings to hide gray roots.

[thumperj]

on 9/4/2007 I am gray hair and white hair mixed. I dyed it golden brown and would like to go to a ashy blonde. I thought about jus dyeing it. Do you think I should use bleach or jus dye it 3 shades down?